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ACS-64s in transit, tests, & deliveries

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, July 24, 2014 8:47 PM

617 reported to be leaving Siemens on Friday 25th and on east bound CAL Z Saturday the 26th.That is if everything goes OK.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, July 26, 2014 12:43 PM

# 617 reported on Train 6 leaving Emeryville today.  199 leadingo

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, July 28, 2014 9:54 AM

For those who know mechanical details of ACS-64s.  When Amtrak is ferrying these units cross country do the units use some HEP to keep things warm or cool ?  Am thinking of the possibilities when units are coming east thru Chicago during a very cold winter blast ?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 1:26 PM

618 is reported to be scheduled to ferry east on train 6 Wednesday July 30th.

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Posted by CAZEPHYR on Monday, August 4, 2014 8:28 PM
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, August 15, 2014 12:59 PM
ACS-64 #619 may be on eastbound Tr #6 on Saturday Aug 15 from Emeryville ?
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, August 31, 2014 9:46 AM

ACS  #620  reported east bound on CZ #6 / 30 August

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, September 5, 2014 11:58 AM

ACS #621 reported east bound on Cal Z #6 / 5 September.  Any confirmation and / or pictures ?

That seems to make about 2-1/4 deliveries a month or one every 12 days ?  Note:  Not enough enroutes to really build an average. 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 12:25 PM

Unconfirmed report that only 5 HHP-8s are still in service ?.  Appears as a major failure of a HHP happens it is taken out of service to provide parts for last ones running ?  Still no indication that the HHPs will be renumbered for accounting purposes ?

This will give approximately 66 motors available for service if 15 ACS-64s are in full service ?  Before any ACS delivered ~ 62 motors were in service ? 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 3:37 PM

blue streak 1

Unconfirmed report that only 5 HHP-8s are still in service ?.  Appears as a major failure of a HHP happens it is taken out of service to provide parts for last ones running ?  Still no indication that the HHPs will be renumbered for accounting purposes ?

This will give approximately 66 motors available for service if 15 ACS-64s are in full service ?  Before any ACS delivered ~ 62 motors were in service ? 

 
NOW only HHPs 651 & 655 reported in service.  NOW 18 ACS-64s reported in service  --  Note: unconfirmed ? 
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 9:13 AM

unconfirmed report 622 being readied at Oakland

 622 now reported on train 6 of September 23

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, September 25, 2014 7:44 PM

deleted

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, September 29, 2014 7:40 PM

Siemens is activating a 15 year service contract for the ACS-64 fleet.  Wonder what the MTBF specification will be ?  This might give nudge  to one or more MARC, SEPTA, NJ Transit, or MBTA to try them as well ?   Any one know if this is part of the purchase price.  One might suspect as much ?

 

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/mechanical/locomotives/acs-64-technical-support-agreement-under-way.html

 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, October 4, 2014 9:04 PM

Unconfirmed report ACS-64  motor  #623 is east bound on Cal Z train # 6 / 4 October .

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 6:28 PM

Saw video of ACS-64 motor  624  eastbound on Cal Z train #  6 / 05 October.  

edit:   Is it our imagination but is the NEC having fewer delays due to Motor failures ?  Have enough motors now to not send problem childs out until properly fixed ?  Reported almost all HHP-8s parked out of service ?

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 6:46 AM

623 was in Chicago yesterday (10/7) ready to head east on the Capitol Ltd.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 4:27 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

623 was in Chicago yesterday (10/7) ready to head east on the Capitol Ltd.

 
623 reported on train #50 Cardinal since 30 cancelled CHI - TOL.
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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, October 9, 2014 6:51 AM

624 was in Chicago yesterday (10/8) ready to head east.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, October 24, 2014 2:56 PM

The artices on the first ACS-64 service on the Keystone route mentioned that when all 70 units are in service the regenerative braking will save 3B KWHs.  Although that number may be high let us take a look at it.

1.  Home rates are ~ 10 cents a KWH or savings of $300M.  Way too high.

2.  Long term industrial rates are about $5 cents per KWH for a savings of $150M.

3.  Unconfirmed reports say at present Amtrak pays about $ 4+ cents per KWH.  So a possible savings of ~ $120M ?  That number would mean the new ACS-64s pay for themselves of capital costs in 5 years ?

4.  That will definitely make the regionals operating costs less ?  As well some savings to LD operations on NEC.

 

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Posted by rcdrye on Friday, October 24, 2014 3:48 PM

"Electricity keeping its own books - forsooth!"

From "Tom Swift and his Electric Locomotive, Or, Two Miles a Minute on the Rails" by Victor Appleton

(Grosset & Dunlap 1922)

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, October 24, 2014 4:27 PM

rcdrye
"Electricity keeping its own books - forsooth!"

With the Hercules three-oughts-one!

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 12:59 PM

Unconfirmed report ACS-64  #625 will be on  Cal Z train #6 leaving EMY today ?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 9:20 PM

Unconfirmed report that #600 had a high voltage circuit breaker fire.  Some loco damage.  Anyone with more information ?

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Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 5:08 AM

"ApproachMedium" on railroad.net confirmed the problem early, and has said

"I cannot disclose the extent of the damage, but it will need a bit of work before its safe to return to service."

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, December 8, 2014 9:17 AM

Lots of unconfirmed reports.

1.  ACS-64 # 626 reported behind locos of Cal Z train 6/ 06 Dec.  If so should arrive CHI Monday

2.  # 627 reported on 6 / 07 Dec. If so should arrive CHI Tuesday.

3.  #628, 629 reported ready to be delivered to Emeryville.

Any pictures or confirmation from other posters ?

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 7:47 AM

AMTK 627 is in Chicago this morning (12/9, 6:00 AM) waiting for placement in the Capitol Limited motive power.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 11:10 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH

AMTK 627 is in Chicago this morning (12/9, 6:00 AM) waiting for placement in the Capitol Limited motive power. 

How do you know where the locomotive (AMTK 627) is in its journey to the east coast?

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 11:58 AM

Sam1
 
CSSHEGEWISCH

AMTK 627 is in Chicago this morning (12/9, 6:00 AM) waiting for placement in the Capitol Limited motive power. 

 

How do you know where the locomotive (AMTK 627) is in its journey to the east coast?

 

I visually spotted it from my train (Metra Southwest) on the way to work this morning.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by CAZEPHYR on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 4:25 PM

626 at Rocklin Ca.    12/06 /2014

 

 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, December 20, 2014 10:44 PM

Saw video of 629 on train 6 no link or date.  Unconfirmed report 628 still at factory.

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